Toilet installation system and method of installing toilet

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the invention provides for a toilet installation system. The toilet installation system may comprise: a first set of supports configured to position a first toilet bolt hole of a toilet over a first flange bolt hole of a toilet flange; and a second set of supports configured to position an opposing second toilet bolt hole of the toilet over the second flange bolt hole of the toilet flange.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a toilet installation system and more specifically to a toilet installation system for lowering a toilet onto a toilet flange and a method of using the same.

BACKGROUND

The installation of a toilet requires the use of a toilet flange to connect a base of the toilet to a drain and a sub-floor. The toilet flange is generally installed by attaching the flange to the sub-floor, and then connecting the base of the toilet to the flange. Connecting the toilet to the flange requires aligning bolt holes on the base of the toilet with bolt holes on the flange thereunder such that bolts extend through both the bolt holes on the base of the toilet and bolt holes on the flange thereby connecting the toilet and the flange.

However, aligning the toilet bolt holes with the flange bolt holes is quite difficult. Traditionally, the installer of the toilet carries and lowers the toilet over the flange by hand. The bulky and heavy nature of the toilet typically prevents the installer from being able to see the toilet bolt holes and flange bolt holes in order to align them. Therefore, the installer may reposition a toilet several times before accurately aligning the toilet bolt holes with the flange bolt holes. During the repositioning, the flange is at risk of breaking and the wax ring that seals the bottom of the toilet to the toilet flange may be exposed to repeated seating and unseating that can damage the seal.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the invention provides for a method for installing a toilet. The method may comprise: positioning a toilet installation system around a toilet flange configured to receive the toilet; the toilet installation system including a first set of supports adjacent to a first flange bolt hole on a first side of the toilet flange and a second set of supports adjacent to a second flange bolt hole on a second side of the toilet flange; placing a toilet on the toilet installation system such that a first toilet bolt hole of the toilet is positioned over the first flange bolt hole via the first set of supports and a second toilet bolt hole of the toilet is positioned over the second flange bolt hole via the second set of supports; and sequentially removing a support from the first set of supports and the second set of supports and lowering the toilet until the first toilet bolt hole is aligned with the first flange bolt hole and the second toilet bolt hole is aligned with the second flange bolt hole.

A second aspect of the invention provides for a toilet installation system. The toilet installation system may comprise: a first set of supports configured to position a first toilet bolt hole of a toilet over a first flange bolt hole of a toilet flange; and a second set of supports configured to position an opposing second toilet bolt hole of the toilet over the second flange bolt hole of the toilet flange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top-down view of an embodiment of the toilet installation system.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective side view of an embodiment of the toilet installation system.

FIGS. 3-6 show a side view of an embodiment of the toilet installation system undergoing a method of installing a toilet.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective side view of another embodiment of the toilet installation system.

FIGS. 8-11 show a side view of the embodiment of the toilet installation system shown in FIG. 7 undergoing a method of installing a toilet.

It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the present teachings may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present teachings, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be used and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present teachings. The following description is, therefore, merely illustrative.

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a toilet installation system and a method for installing a toilet. The current disclosure is directed to a toilet installation system which lowers a toilet onto a toilet flange and aligns bolt holes on the toilet with bolt holes on the flange. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, any standard toilet flange and toilet is easily adapted to the toilet installation system disclosed herein. Therefore, the specifics of the flange, sealing ring (wax) and drain connection are omitted for brevity.

FIG. 1 shows a top-down view of an embodiment of the toilet installation system. FIG. 2 shows a perspective side view of an embodiment of the toilet installation system. Referring to FIGS. 1-2 together, a toilet installation system 100 is shown positioned around a toilet flange 102, the latter of which is shown in phantom below the toilet. Toilet flange 102 may be any type of toilet flange as known in the art. Toilet flange 102 may include an opening 104 for connecting toilet flange 102 to a drain (not shown). Additionally, as known in the art, toilet flange 102 may include any number of bolt holes. For example, toilet flange may include a first flange bolt hole 106 and a second flange bolt hole 108. As understood in the art and as will be described herein, each bolt hole 106, 108 supports an upstanding bolt that mates with bolt holes in a base of the toilet.

Toilet installation system 100 may include a first set of supports 112 and a second set of supports 122. First and second set of supports 112, 122 may be configured to support a toilet 130, or more specifically, a base 132 of a toilet 130 over a toilet flange 102. That is, first and second sets of supports 112, 122 may support base 132 of toilet 130 such that a first toilet bolt hole 136 is positioned over first flange bolt hole 106 and a second toilet bolt hole 138 is positioned over second flange bolt hole 108. More particularly, sets of supports 112, 122 support toilet 130 above toilet flange 102 in way that positions toilet bolt holes 136, 138 directly above flange bolt holes 106, 108 such that, when toilet 130 is lowered during installation, toilet bolt holes 136, 138 align with flange bolt holes 106, 108. As shown, first set of supports 112 may include a first support 114 and a second support 116, and second set of supports 122 may include a third support 124 and a fourth support 126. However, it is to be understood that each set of supports 112, 122 may comprise any number of supports without departing from aspects of the invention. Supports 114, 116, 124, 126 may include, for example but not limited to, blocks, wedges, shims, or any other structure or apparatus which can accommodate a weight of a toilet to be positioned thereon for installation. Supports 114, 116, 124, 126 may be made of, for example but not limited to, thermoplastic, metal, or wood.

As shown in FIG. 2, toilet installation system 100 may also include a first bolt sleeve 146 and a second bolt sleeve 148. Bolt sleeves 146, 148 may be configured to extend through respective toilet bolt holes 136, 138 and accommodate a respective bolt 156, 158 in toilet flange 102. That is, first bolt sleeve 146 may be configured to extend through first toilet bolt hole 136 and second bolt sleeve 148 may be configured to extend through second toilet bolt hole 138. In one embodiment, bolt sleeves 146, 148 may include hollow portions 152, 154 which may receive bolts 156, 158. Bolts 156, 158 extend upward away from an opening 104, through first and second toilet flange bolt holes 106, 108 and toward base 132 of toilet 130. As will be described herein, bolt sleeves 146, 148 ensure that toilet bolt holes 136, 138 are positioned directly over and will be aligned with flange bolt holes 106, 108. Additionally, bolt sleeves 146,148 ensure that toilet bolt holes 136, 138 will receive bolts 156, 158. In this way, bolt sleeves 146, 148 act as an extender for bolts 156, 158. In another embodiment, bolt sleeves 146, 148 may simply attach or connect with bolts 156, 158 instead of having hollow portions 152, 154 for receiving bolts 156, 158, e.g., via a threaded connection, friction fit, etc. In any event, bolt sleeves 146, 148 may have a length which constructively extends a length of bolts 156, 158 through toilet bolt holes 136, 138.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, toilet installation system 100 may also include an optional front support 162 for accommodating a front edge 134 of base 132 of toilet 130. In this embodiment, front support 162 may have a height that is substantially equal to a height of first and second set of supports 112, 122. In some embodiments, front support 162 may include a box configured to contain first and second set of supports 112, 114 and bolt sleeves 146, 148 when toilet installation system is in an inoperative state. That is, front support 162 may have the dual purpose of serving as a container or package for sets of supports 112, 122 and bolt sleeves 146, 148 as well as serving as a support for front edge 134 of base 132 of toilet 130.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the toilet installation system is shown in which like numbering represents like elements of which the explanation has not been included for brevity. In this embodiment, toilet installation system 200 is substantially similar to the previous embodiments. However, first set of supports 212 may include a first single support 214 and second set of supports 222 may include a second single support 224. First and second single supports 214, 224 may each have a height H that is greater than a width W. As will be described herein, during a method for installing toilet 230 according to this embodiment of the invention, first and second single supports 214, 224 may each be turned on a side such that when toilet 230 is lowered, toilet 230 is lowered onto another side 216, 226 of each single support 214, 224.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 together, a method for installing a toilet 130 will now be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the method may include positioning a toilet installation system 100 around a toilet flange 102 configured to receive a toilet 130. Toilet flange 102 may include a first flange bolt hole 106 on a first side of toilet flange 102 and a second flange bolt hole 108 on a second side of toilet flange 102. A first bolt 156 may be placed through first flange bolt hole 106 and a second bolt 158 may be placed through second flange bolt hole 108. Bolts 156, 158 may be placed such that they extend upward away from an opening 104 of toilet flange 102, through first and second toilet flange bolt holes 106, 108 and toward base 132 of toilet 130. As previously described, toilet installation system 100 may include a first set of supports 112 and a second set of supports 114. Toilet installation system 100 may be positioned such that first set of supports 112 is adjacent to first flange bolt hole 106 on a first side of toilet flange 102 and second set of supports 114 is adjacent to second flange bolt hole 108 on a second side of toilet flange 102.

Once toilet installation system 100 is positioned, the method may also include placing a toilet 130, or more specifically, a base 132 of a toilet 130, on toilet installation system 100. Toilet 130 may be placed on toilet installation system 100 such that a first toilet bolt hole 136 is positioned over first flange bolt hole 106 via first set of supports 112. Additionally, toilet 130 may be placed on toilet installation system 100 such that a second toilet bolt hole 138 is positioned over second flange bolt hole 108 via second set of supports 114. Further, the method may include placing a first bolt sleeve 146 through first toilet bolt hole 136 and a second bolt sleeve 148 through second toilet bolt hole 138. First bolt sleeve 146 may be placed such that first bolt sleeve 146 is positioned to accommodate first bolt 156 via hollow portion 152. Second bolt sleeve 148 may be placed such that second bolt sleeve 148 is positioned to accommodate second bolt 158 via hollow portion 154. Bolt sleeves may be positioned such that first bolt sleeve 146 substantially surrounds at least a portion of first bolt 156 and second bolt sleeve 148 substantially surrounds at least a portion of second bolt 158. Bolt sleeves 146, 148 ensure that toilet bolt holes 136, 138 are positioned directly over and will be aligned with flange bolt holes 106, 108. Additionally, bolt sleeves 146,148 ensure that toilet bolt holes 136, 138 will receive bolts 156, 158. As previously described, bolt sleeves 146, 148 may act as an extender for bolts 156, 158. Therefore, bolt sleeves 146, 148 may simply attach or connect with bolts 156, 158 instead of having hollow portions 152, 154 for accommodating bolts 156, 158. Bolt sleeves 146, 148 may have at least a length which extends from bolts 156, 158 and through toilet bolt holes 136, 138.

After base of toilet 130 is positioned on toilet installation system 100, the method may also include sequentially removing a support from first set of supports 112 and second set of supports 114 and lowering toilet 130 until first toilet bolt hole 136 is aligned with first flange bolt hole 106 and second toilet bolt hole 138 is aligned with second flange bolt hole 108. As shown in FIG. 3, this step may include removing a first support 114 from first set of supports 114 to reveal a second support 116 thereunder and lowering toilet 130 such that first toilet bolt hole 136 is positioned over first flange bolt hole 106 via second support 116. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4, the method may include removing a third support 124 from second set of supports 122 to reveal a fourth support 126 thereunder and lowering toilet 130 such that second bolt hole 138 is positioned over second flange bolt hole 108. As shown in FIG. 5, the method may also include removing second support 116 from under toilet 130 and lowering toilet 130 such that first toilet bolt hole 136 is aligned with first flange bolt hole 106. As shown in FIG. 6, the method may also include removing fourth support 126 from under toilet 130 and lowering toilet 130 such that second toilet bolt hole 138 is aligned with second flange bolt hole 108. With each sequential step that toilet 130 is lowered, toilet flange bolt holes 136, 138 move in a direction closer to flange bolt holes 106, 108 until bolts 156, 158 within bolt sleeves 146, 148 extend through toilet bolt holes 136, 138.

Still referring to FIG. 6, once toilet 130 is completely lowered onto toilet flange 102 and toilet bolt holes 136, 138 are aligned with flange bolt holes 106, 108, the method may include removing bolt sleeves 146, 148 from bolts 156, 158 and installing nuts 176, 178 which may also include respective washers (not shown). That is, first bolt sleeve 146 may be removed from first bolt 156 leaving first bolt 156 extending through first toilet bolt hole 136 and second bolt sleeve 148 may be removed from second bolt 158 leaving second bolt 158 extending through second toilet bolt hole 138. A first nut 176 may be installed to secure first bolt 156 and a second nut 178 may be installed to secure second bolt 158.

As previously discussed with reference to FIG. 1, toilet installation system 100 may optionally include a front support 162 to accommodate and suspend a front edge 134 of base 132 of toilet 130. A method for installing a toilet 130 will now be described with reference to this embodiment. The method may include positioning toilet installation system 100 around a toilet flange 102 configured to receive toilet 130 as previously described. However, the method according to this embodiment may further include positioning front support 162 at position P, which is preferably equidistant from first and second toilet bolt holes 136, 138.

The method according to this embodiment may also include placing toilet 130 on toilet installation system 100 as previously described. However, the method according to this embodiment may further include placing toilet 130 on toilet installation system 100 such that front edge 134 of base 132 of toilet 130 is positioned on front support 162 at position P.

Additionally, the method according to this embodiment may also include sequentially removing supports and lowering toilet 130 as previously described. However, after removal of first support 114 from first set of supports 112, the method according to this embodiment includes removing front support 162 from under toilet 130 and placing first support 114 at position P as shown in phantom in FIG. 4. Further, toilet 130 may be lowered as previously described; however, lowering toilet 130 may also include lowering toilet onto first support 114 at position P. As previously described with reference to FIG. 4, the method may also include removing third support 122 from second set of supports 122 to reveal fourth support and lowering toilet 130 onto fourth support 126. As described with reference to FIG. 5, second support 116 may be removed from under toilet 130. However, before toilet 130 is lowered such that first toilet bolt hole 136 is aligned with first flange bolt hole 106, first support 114 may also be removed from position P. Subsequently, toilet 130 may be lowered such that first toilet bolt hole 136 is aligned with first flange bolt hole 106. As described with reference to FIG. 6, the method may also include removing fourth support 126 from under toilet 130 and lowering toilet 130 such that second toilet bolt hole 138 is aligned with second flange bolt hole 108.

As shown in FIG. 7, in another embodiment, toilet installation system 200 may include a first set of supports 212 and a second set of supports 222. In this embodiment, each set of supports 212, 222 may include a single support 214, 224 having a height H greater than its width W. A method for installing a toilet according to this embodiment may include positioning toilet installation system 200 around a toilet flange 202 having an opening 204 configured to receive toilet 230 and placing toilet 230, or more particularly, base of toilet 232, on toilet installation system 200 as previously described. That is, toilet 230 may be placed on toilet installation system 200 such that a first toilet bolt hole 236 is positioned over a first flange bolt hole 206 via first set of supports 212 and second toilet bolt hole 238 is positioned over a second flange bolt hole 208 via second set of supports 222. Further, the method may include placing a first bolt sleeve 246 through first toilet bolt hole 236 and a second bolt sleeve 248 through second toilet bolt hole 238. First bolt sleeve 246 may be placed such that first bolt sleeve 246 is positioned to accommodate first bolt 256 via hollow portion 252. Second bolt sleeve 248 may be placed such that second bolt sleeve 248 is positioned to accommodate second bolt 258 via hollow portion 254.

Additionally, the method according to this embodiment may also include sequentially removing supports and lowering toilet 230 as previously described. However, in this embodiment, instead of removing first support 114 from first set of supports 112 as described with reference to FIG. 3, first single support 214 can be turned on one side and toilet 230 may be lowered onto side 216 of single support 214 (FIG. 8) instead of onto second support 116. As shown in FIG. 9, instead of removing third support 124 from second set of supports 122 as described with reference to FIG. 4, second single support 222 can be turned on one side 226 and toilet 230 may be lowered onto side 226 of single support 222 instead of onto fourth support 126. As shown in FIG. 10, first single support 216 can be removed from under toilet 230. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 11, second single support 224 may be removed and toilet 230 may be lowered onto flange 202 (not shown in FIG. 11). Once toilet 230 is completely lowered onto toilet flange 202 and toilet bolt holes 236, 238 are aligned with flange bolt holes 206, 208, the method may include removing bolt sleeves 246, 248 from bolts 256, 258. Additionally, the method may include installing nuts 276, 278 and respective washers (not shown) as previously described.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Furthermore, illustrations with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications can be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular function.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

I claim:
 1. A method for installing a toilet, the method comprising: positioning a toilet installation system around a toilet flange configured to receive the toilet, the toilet installation system including a first set of supports adjacent to a first flange bolt hole on a first side of the toilet flange and a second set of supports adjacent to a second flange bolt hole on a second side of the toilet flange; placing a toilet on a toilet installation system such that a first toilet bolt hole of the toilet is positioned over the first flange bolt hole via the first set of supports and a second toilet bolt hole of the toilet is positioned over the second flange bolt hole via the second set of supports; and sequentially removing a support from the first set of supports and the second set of supports and lowering the toilet until the first toilet bolt hole is aligned with the first flange bolt hole and the second toilet bolt hole is aligned with the second flange bolt hole.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequentially removing the support includes: removing a first support from the first set of supports to reveal a second support thereunder; and wherein the lowering the toilet includes lowering the toilet such that the first toilet bolt hole is positioned over the first flange bolt hole via the second support.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the sequentially removing the support further includes: removing a third support from the second set of supports to reveal a fourth support thereunder after the lowering of the toilet; and wherein the lowering the toilet further includes lowering the toilet such that the second toilet bolt hole is positioned over the second flange bolt hole via the fourth support.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sequentially removing the support further includes: removing the second support from under the toilet; and wherein the lowering the toilet further includes lowering the toilet such that the first toilet bolt hole is aligned with the first flange bolt hole.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sequentially removing the support further includes: removing the fourth support from under the toilet; and wherein the lowering the toilet further includes lowering the toilet such that the second toilet bolt hole is aligned with the second flange bolt hole.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the toilet installation system further includes a front support, and wherein the positioning the toilet installation system includes: positioning a front support adjacent to the toilet flange at a position that is equidistant from the first toilet bolt hole and the second toilet bolt hole.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the sequentially removing the support includes removing a first support from the first set of supports to reveal a second support thereunder and wherein the lowering the toilet includes lowering the toilet such that the first toilet bolt hole is positioned over the first flange bolt hole via the second support, and the method further comprising: removing the front support after the removing the first support from the first set of supports; placing the first support at the position for the front support; and lowering the toilet onto the first support at the position for the front support.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising removing the first support from the position for the front support.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the positioning the toilet installation system, placing a first bolt through the first flange bolt hole; and placing a second bolt through the second flange bolt hole.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the placing the toilet on the installation system includes: placing a first bolt sleeve in the first toilet bolt hole such that the first bolt sleeve is positioned to accommodate the first bolt; placing a second bolt sleeve in the second toilet bolt hole such that the second bolt sleeve is positioned to accommodate the second bolt.
 11. The method of claim 10, after the sequentially removing the support and the lowering the toilet, further comprising: removing the first bolt sleeve from the first bolt; installing a first nut to secure the first bolt; removing the second bolt sleeve from the second bolt; and installing a second nut to secure the second bolt.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of supports and the second set of supports each include a support that has a height greater than its width, and wherein the sequentially removing the support includes sequentially turning the first set of supports on its side and lowering the toilet onto the side of the first set of supports, and turning the second set of supports on its side and lowering the toilet onto the side of the second set of supports.
 13. A toilet installation system comprising: a first set of supports configured to position a first toilet bolt hole of a toilet over a first flange bolt hole of a toilet flange; and a second set of supports configured to position an opposing second toilet bolt hole of the toilet over a second flange bolt hole of the toilet flange.
 14. The toilet installation system of claim 13, further comprising: a front support configured to positioned a front edge of the toilet.
 15. The toilet installation system of claim 14, wherein the front support includes a box configured to contain the first and second set of supports in an inoperative state.
 16. The toilet installation system of claim 13, wherein the first set of supports includes at least a first support and a second support; and wherein the second set of supports includes at least a third support and a fourth support.
 17. The toilet installation system of claim 13, further comprising: a first bolt sleeve configured to extend through the first toilet bolt hole and configured to accommodate a first bolt; and a second bolt sleeve configured to extend through the second toilet bolt hole and configured to accommodate a second bolt.
 18. The toilet installation system of claim 13, wherein the first set of supports and the second set of supports each include a support having a height greater than a width. 